SYDNEY, N.S. — Drake Batherson knows all to well the importance of the rivalry between the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Halifax Mooseheads.
With that, Batherson did his duty for the Screaming Eagles, leading the local Quebec Major Junior Hockey League club to a 4-3 win over the Mooseheads in front of 3,177 fans at Centre 200 on Friday.
The New Minas, N.S., native had a goal and two assists in the win and considers himself a leader on the young Screaming Eagles team this season.
“Every game against Halifax is a very intense game, I was lucky enough to get a couple of points, but I’m more happy the boys came out with a win,” said the Ottawa Senators prospect.

“The young guys from Halifax on the team know all about it (the rivalry) because they grew up watching the games,” said Batherson. “The Quebec guys are aware of it as well because there was a few videos (online) this week, so I think they were ready for it.”

After a scoreless first period, the Mooseheads opened the scoring with highly-touted Filip Zadina making the score 1-0, but the Screaming Eagles would answer minutes later with Jordan Ty Fournier flipping a shot over Mooseheads netminder Alexis Gravel on the power play.

Cape Breton took their first lead of the game 38 seconds into the third period with rookie Ryan Francis, a Beaver Bank native, scoring his second goal of the season.
Batherson extended the Screaming Eagles lead at the eight-minute mark of the final frame, before Phélix Martineau gave Cape Breton a 4-1 lead with his second of the season, shorthanded.

With Cape Breton’s Justin Lazure in the penalty box for high sticking, the Mooseheads pulled to within two with Connor Moynihan’s power play goal, which was followed seconds later by Zadina, netting his second goal of the game to cut the Cape Breton lead to one.
Despite late pressure by Halifax, the Screaming Eagles were able to hold on for the win, improving their record to 6-4-0-0.
Cape Breton’s Kevin Mandolese made 29 saves. Gravel stopped 23 of 27 shots for the Mooseheads.

The Screaming Eagles and Mooseheads will meet in Game 2 of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s rivalry week today at 7 p.m. at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
“It’s going to be a quick turnaround, a couple games in 24 hours, but playing in the Scotiabank Centre is awesome,” said Batherson. “There is going to be a lot of people there – it’s their Pink in the Rink game – it should be a good time.”
Following today’s contest in Halifax, the Screaming Eagles will return to home ice for a game against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens on Wednesday.